While the fight to preserve life is often centered on abortion and capital punishment, the future Pope Francis also warned against a more subtle form of disregard for human dignity: what he called “covert euthanasia.”

“In this consumerist, hedonist and narcissistic society, we are accustomed to the idea that there are people that are disposable,” among them, the elderly, then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio said in a recently published book.

Citing examples of intentional neglect, the future pope said: “Our social security pays up until a certain amount of treatment and then says ‘May God help you.’”

In the same book, the future pope also said science can create a monster if too prideful.

“There is no reason to meddle with scientists’ autonomy, except when they overstep their field and get into the transcendent,” he said.